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Expect Narnia-mania to break out this Christmas as the first ever live action film of C.S Lewis’ magical 1950 novel The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe explodes onto cinema screens.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Following the massive international genre-spanning success of The Lord of The Rings trilogy – and the continued massive appeal of the Harry Potter’ books and movies the next set of fantasy big guns are wheeled out – and this one promises to be a real treat for children of all ages.

"Narnia? What's that?" said Lucy. "This is the land of Narnia," said the Faun, "where we are now; all that lies between the lamp-post and the great castle of Cair Paravel on the Eastern Sea..."

(From The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis)

Walt Disney Studios has entered into an agreement with Walden Media to co-finance and distribute the long-awaited motion picture based on C.S Lewis’ much-loved book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950). The first book published in C.S. Lewis' famed Chronicles of Narnia series – though not the first in reading sequence, that being The Magicians’ Nephew - is expected to be swiftly followed by the rest of the books in motion picture form.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the first in an exciting series of films in the making and based on the phenomenal bestselling novels, concerns a war between good and evil, pitting the magnificent lion Aslan against the forces of darkness in the magical world of Narnia. A White Witch has used her dark powers to keep Narnia in winter for 100 years, but it is foretold that four humans will be able to help Aslan break the spell. When the Pevensie siblings - young Lucy, Susan, Edmund and Peter - discover the magic of Narnia by entering the enchanted world through a magical wardrobe, the stage is set for a classic battle of epic proportions.

According to industry sources, the agreement that has been made ahead of the first films’ release allows for the continuation of the partnership for future films in the series.

Commenting on the announcement, Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios said, "With an exciting and meaningful plot and well-drawn, emotional characters, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe has the potential to be just the start of an extraordinary series of films; the exceptional imagination present in the novels follows in the best Disney tradition. We're pleased to be partnered once again with Walden Media - I think this is just the kind of movie audiences are looking for, and we're thrilled to be able to bring it to the screen."

Cary Granat and Micheal Flaherty, co-founders of Walden Media, added, "Disney has been a great friend and partner, with our company, on Holes, Ghosts of the Abyss, and this summer's Around the World in 80 Days. The combination of C.S. Lewis' visionary Chronicles of Narnia with the incredible strength and uniqueness of the Walt Disney brand and organization makes this a true dream project for us. This is one of the most imaginative novels ever written, and to bring it to the screen requires a director of equal inventiveness, ingenuity, and spirit. Andrew Adamson is just the guy - he knows better than anyone how to create magic on-screen and tell a story that touches the audience's hearts. His expertise in visual effects, animation, and live-action will be critical to a fantasy work of this magnitude."

Adamson added: "The Chronicles of Narnia were an important part of my childhood just as they are to millions of fans around the world. I hope to bring to the screen a movie that is as real to the audience as Narnia was to me as a child. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe tells an epic story of great heart, of a family torn apart by a war in our world, who are united in their struggle to save the magical land of Narnia. It's been a long time dream of mine to bring these classic stories to a new generation of moviegoers and readers."

Douglas Gresham, stepson of C.S. Lewis, said, "Fans of the series have been waiting for generations for a film that faithfully adapts the Narnia books for the screen. Disney and Walden are a perfect match for the magical world that C.S. Lewis created, and we're as excited to see the movie as everyone else is."

A classic series of seven novels that have sold over 85 million copies worldwide, C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia began with the publication in 1950 of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Cornerstone of the seven volume Chronicles’, the book was partly inspired by the Biblical stories of the life of Christ (with Aslan cast in the role of one who sacrifices himself so that those he is pledged to protect might live – and who exhibits a wonderful talent for resurrection), as well as by four children who were evacuated to the author's country home during the World War II.

Upon meeting his evacuee house guests, the author was apparently surprised at the lack of imaginative stories his young guests knew and decided to set about writing one for them. Jotting down a rough opening scenario he then set it aside until eventually returning to finish the tale in 1949 - almost a decade after he had begun it.

Six more novels (including the prequel, The Magician's Nephew, and the sequels, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair and The Last Battle) would follow in the next six years. The final title in the series, The Last Battle, was awarded the highest mark of excellence in children's literature, the prestigious Carnegie Award. This entire series is delightfully inventive - and a ‘must-read’ at any age. The original novel upon which this first film is based was also named as the one book that British parents most want to share with their children in a recent poll.

The live-action film version is being directed by Andrew Adamson (Shrek and Shrek 2) and is released by Walt Disney Pictures.

Founded by Cary Granat - former president of Miramax Films' Dimension label, and educator Micheal Flaherty – the company behind the film: Walden Media has set itself the goal of creating films, television shows, books and interactive media that inspire, engage, enlighten and entertain. Walden believes that quality entertainment is inherently educational and can capture the audience's imagination, rekindle curiosity and demonstrate the rewards of learning.

NarniaWeb: Your Source for Narnia Movie News

The Chronicles of Narnia books are published in the UK by Harper Collins, where they are available as a boxed set and as individual volumes.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is out on DVD now - as one and double-disc editions.

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